Bear – Delaware State Police have arrested a 17 year old Newark man for an attempted armed robbery which occurred during a drug deal.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:59 P.M., Saturday, October 14, 2017 in the parking lot of Moes Southwest Grill, located at 1241 Quintillo Dr., Bear.

An 18 year old Newark man was in the parking lot smoking a cigarette during his work break when an unknown make and model, dark colored vehicle pulled up beside him and stopped. The passenger side window was rolled down and the white male operator of the vehicle, later identified as Alyjah Thomas, 17 of Newark yelled “Loud Out”, which according to the victim, means “do you want to buy marijuana”. The victim then voluntarily entered the vehicle to engage in the drug transaction.

As the victim was seated in the vehicle, Thomas displayed a black handgun which was concealed in his waistband and demanded the victim’s wallet. The victim refused to comply at which time Thomas became agitated, removed the handgun from his waistband and pointed it directly at the victim. The victim instinctually grabbed for the handgun and was able to wrestle it away from Thomas. Once gaining possession of the handgun the victim exited the vehicle and threw it across the parking lot. Thomas then drove to the area where the victim had thrown the handgun and retrieved it.

After retrieving the handgun, Thomas drove back towards the victim who was still in the lot, exited the vehicle and began physically assaulting him. During the altercation Thomas struck the victim multiple times in the back of the head with the handgun and also punched him in the face with a closed fist. After the assault, Thomas returned to his vehicle and fled in an unknown direction. The victim would eventually be transported to Christiana Hospital where he received treatment for a head laceration.

Responding Troopers were able to collect evidence at the scene which led to the positive identification of Thomas as the subject involved in the incident. During the course of the investigation Troopers were also able to determine that Thomas had changed vehicles and was now operating a gold Pontiac SUV. Troopers canvassing the area located the Pontiac in the parking lot of the Chick-fil-A, which is adjacent to Moes Southwest Grill. Thomas was confirmed to be the sole occupant of the Pontiac and was taken in to custody without incident.

Thomas was then transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where was arrested and charged with one count each of: Attempted Robbery 1^st Degree, Assault 2^nd Degree, Aggravated Menacing, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon.

Thomas was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and then committed to the New Castle County Detention Center in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov. 

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 101717 1530

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